Disc opener assembly for a seed planter

ABSTRACT

The present disc opener assembly for a seed planter is for a single disc opener arrangement and is embodied in several embodiments. FIGS.  1  and  1   a  illustrate two embodiments of the present disc opener assembly the specifics of each will be described below. Referring now to FIGS.  1, 1   a  and  2 , there is illustrated a disc opener assembly ( 10 ) mounted on a tool bar ( 7 ) connected to a work vehicle ( 5 ) for opening a seed trench ( 8 ) in the ground upon which the vehicle ( 5 ) moves. A main arm ( 12 ) is attached to the tool bar ( 7 ) with a disc ( 14 ) mounted for rotation on the main arm ( 12 ). A depth adjustment mechanism ( 40 ) is used to adjust the depth of the disc ( 14 ) in the seed trench ( 8 ) with a seed placement device ( 70 ) positioned in the seed trench ( 8 ) for depositing a seed ( 71 ) in the seed trench ( 8 ). The seed trench ( 8 ) having been opened by the disc ( 14 ) as the work vehicle ( 5 ) moves across the ground.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to agricultural planting equipment andmore particularly to a disc opener assembly for a seed planter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The efficient production of crops requires that seed be planted invarious and selective manners that depend upon the type of seed, thesoil conditions and the location. The seed planter must be capable ofopening a seed trench at a selected depth, accurately space the seedsapart in the seed trench, cover the seed with an appropriate amount ofsoil and assure that the seed is in proper contact with the soil.

Existing seed planters utilize various adjustment to control the depthof the seed trench, which usually entails the raising or lowering agauge wheel which, through linkages, raise or lower the discs used toopen the seed trench. The closing of the seed trench on existing seedplanters utilize a series of wheels to introduce soil into the seedtrench and compact the soil over the seed in the trench.

For depth control, some existing seed planters have poorly located depthadjustments. Some require an operator to apply opposing forces, such aslift a handle while at the same time push the handle forward onbackward. Some seed planters require the operator to use two hands toadjust the depth of the opening disc. Other seed planters utilize athreaded shaft which is slow to adjust and have a tendency to seize updue to rusty threaded shafts or become bound up due to an accumulationof dirt.

For adjusting the location of the packer wheel, the wheel that closesthe seed trench and compacts the sail over the seed, existing seedplanters use a threaded shaft for moving the packer toward or away fromthe seed trench. Such apparatus has a tendency to seize up due to rustythreaded shafts or they become bound up due to an accumulation of dirt.Some seed planters provide no adjustment for the position of the packerwheel. Some seed planters provide fixed shaft with a pivoting wheel.Such apparatus has an area of influence limited to the radius of thepivot.

For cleaning the opening disc, existing seed planters use a scrapermounted on the apparatus for the purpose of removing soil from the disc.Such scrapers are usually rigidly mounted and because less effective asthe scraper edge wears and thus becomes more removed from the disc.

Thus, there is a continuing need for a seed planter disc opener assemblythat provides a depth control that is conveniently located, can beoperated with one hand and can quickly verify the depth setting of thedisc. There is also a need for a packer wheel adjustment that allowsadjustment in different crop and seeding conditions and allows packingof the seed trench to be accomplished from over the top of the trench orfrom the side, at various distances, of the trench. There is a furtherneed for a disc scraper that self-aligns with the disc and maintainscontact with the disc as the scraper edge wears.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a disc opener assembly mounted on a toolbar connected to a work vehicle for opening a seed trench in the groundupon which the vehicle moves. The disc opener assembly comprises a mainarm which is attached to the tool bar, with a disc mounted for rotationon the main arm. A depth adjustment mechanism is operatively mounted onthe main arm with a seed placement device located behind the disc todeposit a seed in the seed trench opened by the disc. The depthadjustment mechanism comprises a gauge wheel mounted for rotation on oneend of a gauge wheel arm, with an opposite end of the gauge wheel armattached to a gauge wheel pivot. The depth gauge bracket has an arcuate,elongated slot in which a depth adjustment pin slidingly moves tomaintain a constant arm about the gauge wheel to accurately control thedepth of the disc opener assembly. A depth control handle is pivotallymounted on the depth adjustment arm and has slots corresponding tobracket teeth on the depth gauge bracket. The handle slots aremaintained in engagement with the bracket teeth by a spring mountedbetween the handle and the depth adjustment arm. Precise, incremented,readily verifiable adjustment of the depth of the disc can beaccomplished conveniently and with one hand of the operator. The packerwheel lateral placement is accomplished by the packer wheel beingrotatably mounted on an axle, with the axle having a plurality ofthrough bores. The axle is slidingly installed in a position tube havinga position hole. A position pin engages the position hole and an alignedthrough bore in the axle corresponding to a selected position of thepacker wheel relative to the seed trench. The disc opener assembly isalso provided with a seed placement device comprising a hollow seed tubehaving at least one sensor hole opening into the interior of the seedtube. A seed sensor is aligned with the sensor hole by a seed sensormounting device attached to the seed tube and the seed sensor monitoringthe flow of seed from a seed receptacle through the seed tube to theseed trench. A seed sensor monitor flow signal is conveyed to the workvehicle, typically displayed in the cab of the work vehicle.

An embodiment of the disc opener assembly has a self-aligning discscraper comprising a planar member having an edge with the edge alignedand in close proximity to a disc of the disc opener assembly. The planarmember is attached to the disc opener assembly with fastener thatprovide a fulcrum for the planar member to pivot toward the disc. Aspring member may also be mounted between the planar member and the discopener assembly to bias the planar member toward the disc. The planarmember and the edge of the planar member may be case hardened by a gasnitriding process. The edge of the planar member may also be separateand removably mounted to the planar member.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in the following detailed description, appended drawing andaccompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a seed planter disc opener assembly.

FIG. 1a is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of a seedplanter disc opener assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the rear of the disc openerillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial top perspective view of the packer wheel positionedover a seed trench.

FIG. 4 is a partial top perspective view of the packer wheel positionedto one side of a seed trench.

FIG. 4a is a partial top perspective view of an alternative embodimentof the packer wheel.

FIG. 5 is a partial side elevation view of disc scraper mounted on ascraper mount attached below the main arm and aligned with the disc toclean the disc.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the disc scraper.

FIG. 7 is a partial top perspective view of the depth adjustmentmechanism, with the disc and gauge wheel set apart from the mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a depth adjustment handleengaged with bracket teeth of a depth adjustment bracket and showing thedepth adjustment pin at one end of an arcuate, elongated bracket slot.

FIG. 8a is a partial perspective top view of an alternative embodimentof a depth adjustment handle engaged with bracket teeth of analternative embodiment of a depth adjustment bracket.

FIG. 8b is an exploded perspective view of a depth adjustment bracketdisplaying a plurality of bracket laminations.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the depth adjustment handle setapart from the depth adjustment arm to display a handle spring and thehandle slots that engage the bracket teeth.

FIG. 9a is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofa depth adjustment handle.

FIG. 9b is a partial perspective view of the depth adjustment handleillustrated in FIG. 9a displaying a plurality of handle teethlaminations.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a seed tube.

FIG. 10a is a partial side elevation of a seed deflector tab having adeflector portion redirecting a seed towards the seed trench.

FIG. 10b is a partial end view of the seed deflector tab illustrated inFIG. 10a displaying an inverted V-shape deflector portion.

FIG. 10c is a partial cross-section of a deflector portion of a seeddeflector tab that has an inverted V-crossed section.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a seed sensor.

FIG. 11a is a perspective view of an examplary embodiment of a seed tubeengaged with a seed sensor.

FIG. 11b is an exploded side elevation view of the seed tube and seedsensor illustrated in FIG. 11a.

FIG. 11c is a perspective view of an examplary embodiment of a seed tubeand seed sensor.

FIG. 11d is a plan view of the seed tube and seed sensor illustrated inFIG. 11c.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of a disc opener assembly mounted on atool bar coupled to a work vehicle.

Before explaining the preferred embodiment of the invention in detail,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in theapplication to the details of construction and the arrangement ofcomponents set forth in the following description or as illustrated inthe drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or beingpracticed or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purposeof description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 12 of the drawings there is shown a work vehicle(5) having a vehicle support structure (4) to which a plurality ofwheels (3) are rotatably mounted. Although a four wheel work vehicle isillustrated, it should be understood that a 6 or 8 wheel vehicle iscontemplated as well as a tracked vehicle, with the tracks beingsupported by wheels. A work vehicle (5) typically has a power sourcecoupled to a transmission with the transmission operatively coupled toat least two of the wheels (3). The power source can be an internalcombustion engine such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine and itmay also be an electric motor or a steam driven turbine.

The present disc opener assembly for a seed planter is for a single discopener arrangement and is illustrated in several embodiments. FIGS. 1and 1a illustrate two embodiments of the present disc opener assembly(10), the specifics of each will be described below. Referring now toFIGS. 1, 1 a and 2, there is illustrated a disc opener assembly (10)mounted on a tool bar (7) connected to a work vehicle (5) for opening aseed trench (8) in the ground upon which the vehicle (5) moves. A mainarm (12) is attached to the tool bar (7) with a disc (14) mounted forrotation on the main arm (12). A depth adjustment mechanism (40) is usedto adjust the depth of the disc (14) in the seed trench (8) with a seedplacement device (70) positioned in the seed trench (8) for depositing aseed (71) in the seed trench (8). The seed trench (8) is opened by thedisc (14) as the work vehicle (5) moves across the ground. See FIG. 12.

The disc opener assembly (10) is provided with a disc scraper (30)mounted on the scraper mount (33) attached below the main arm (12) andaligned with the disc (14) to clean the disc. See FIGS. 5 and 6. Thedisc scraper (30) is a planar member with at least one edge (32) whichis aligned with the disc (14) and contacts the disc to clean dirt andplant debris from the disc (14) as the disc is rotated. The disc scraper(30) is attached to the scraper mount (33) by fasteners or otherconvenient and conventional means of mounting. The preferred embodimentprovides for two retainers (36) biased by a spring (34) sandwichedbetween the scraper (30) and the scraper mount (33) to allow the scraper(30) to pivot about the retainers (36) and self-align with the disc(14). As the edge (32) of the scraper wears down, the spring (34)continues to press the scraper (30) against the disc (14) without anyadditional intervention by an operator of the disc opener assembly (10).In addition to cleaning the disc, the disc scraper (30) also functionsto protect the seed placement device (70) and it helps the disc (14) tocreate the seed trench (8). The disc scraper (30) typically is made fromsteel which has been case hardened by a gas nitrating process whichgives the scraper (30) a high surface hardness and increases wearresistance. However, the disc scraper (30) may be made from any othermaterial that will resist wear as the scraper edge (32) contacts thedisc (14). It is also contemplated that the scraper (30) may be a planarmember made of material different from the edge of the scraper (32). Forinstance, the scraper can be formed from a plastic with the edge (32)being made from steel which is fastened to the disc scraper (30). Theplastic planar member providing a degree of resiliency in conjunctionwith the spring (34) and the steel edge (32) providing the benefits ofthe all steel scraper described above.

The disc opener assembly (10) also includes a packer wheel (16) rotablymounted on an axle (18) having a plurality of throughbores (22) with theaxle (18) slidingly installed in a position tube (20) having a positionhole (23). The position tube (20) is attached to a packer wheel arm (19)connected to the main arm (12) and having a position pin (24) engagingthe position hole (23) and an aligned throughbore (22) in the axle (18)corresponding to a selected position of the packer wheel (16) relativeto the seed trench (18). See FIGS. 3 and 4. As the disc opener assembly(10) moves through the field opening a seed trench (8), the packer wheel(22) closes the seed trench (8). The distance of the packer wheel 22)away from the seed trench (8) determines the amount of soil depositedinto the seed trench (8) during the closing operation and the compactionof the soil on the seed (71) in the trench. An alternative embodiment ofthe packer wheel (22) is illustrated in FIG. 4a. The lateral position ofthe packer wheel (16) is established by a plurality of spacers (21)slidingly mounted on the packer wheel axle (18) between an axle bushing(15) and the packer wheel (16). The axle bushing (15) is attached to thepacker wheel arm (19). The packer wheel (16) and spacers (21) aremaintained on the packer wheel axle (18) by a retainer (25). The packerwheel axle (18) is mounted in the axle bushing (15). An operator of thedisc opener assembly (18) can adjust the lateral distance of the packerwheel with respect to the seed trench (18) by adding or removing spacers(21) from the packer wheel axle (18) as the planting conditions changefrom time to time.

The disc opener assembly (10) has a depth adjustment mechanism (40). Agauge wheel (46) is mounted for rotation on one end (43) of a gaugewheel arm (44) with an opposite end (45) of the gauge wheel arm (44)being attached to a gauge wheel pivot (48). The gauge wheel (46) can bemade from composite elements, such as a tire rim formed from metal orplastic, connected by a suitable fastener and having a semi-pneumatictire disposed about its periphery. The semi-pneumatic tire helps reduceside-wall compaction of the seed trench (8) while allowing the gaugewheel (46) to move toward and away from the ground as the depthadjustment mechanism (40) is operated, thereby adjusting the depth ofthe disc (14) as more fully described below. A depth gauge bracket (54)is engaged with a depth adjustment arm (42). The depth gauge bracket(54) is provided with an arcuate, elongated slot (56). The depthadjustment arm (42) has a depth adjustment pin (52) slidingly engaged inthe elongated slot (56) with the depth adjustment arm (42) attached tothe gauge wheel arm (44) so that the pin (52) maintains a constant arc(50) about the gauge wheel pivot (48) as the pin (52) slides in thearcuate elongated slot (56). A depth adjustment handle (60) is mountedon the depth adjustment arm (42) to engage and disengage the depthadjustment arm (42) in the depth adjustment bracket(54). The depthadjustment handle (60) is pivotably mounted on the depth adjustment arm(42) with the handle (60) having slots (66) corresponding to bracketteeth (58) on the depth gauge bracket (54) with the bracket teeth (58)engaging the slots (66) of the handle (60) as the handle (60) is biasedby a handle spring (64) mounted between the handle (60) and the depthadjustment arm (42). See FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

The depth adjustment bracket (54) can be formed or machined from a solidpiece of material, preferably steel. An alternative embodiment of thedepth gauge adjustment mechanism (40) provides a depth gauge handle (60)mounted on the depth adjustment arm (42) with the handle (60) having aplurality of layers or laminations (67) laminated together to formhandle teeth (68). Each layer or lamination is comprised of a thin highstrength, low alloy sheet metal, such as steel, which is stamped to aselected shape. The laminated handle teeth (68) are mounted on thehandle (60) with the handle (60) mounted to a handle member (61) by ahandle pivot pin (62). A spacer (65) is axlely mounted on the handlepivot pin (62) with a coil spring (64) biasing the handle (60) from thehandle member (61). See FIGS. 9a and 9 b. The depth gauge bracket (54)is also composed of a plurality of layers with each bracket laminationlayer (55) comprising a thin, high strength, low alloy steel sheet metalwhich is stamped to a selected shape and laminated together to form thedepth gauge bracket (54). See FIGS. 8a and 8 b. A fastener (51), such asa rivet or nut and bolt, is the preferred embodiment for securing thebracket laminations (55) together. However, it should be understood thatany other form of attachment or adhesive suitable to withstand theforces emparted to the depth gauge bracket (54) by the handle (60) inthe depth adjustment mechanism (40) can be used. The bracket teeth (58)formed in the bracket laminations (55) are engaged by the handle teeth(68). As an operator compresses the handle (60) against the handlemember (61) the handle teeth (68) are disengaged from the bracket teeth(58). The operator moves the handle assembly within the elongatedarcuate slot (56) which changes the depth of the disc (14) by moving thegauge wheel (46) mounted on the gauge wheel arm (44). With the depthadjustment mechanism (40), an operator can quickly and efficientlychange the depth of the seed trench (8) by changing the setting of thedisc (14) in the soil.

The disc opener assembly (10) is also provided with a seed placementdevice (70). The seed placement device (70) comprises a hollow seed tube(72) having at least one sensor hole (76) opening into the interior ofthe seed tube (72) with the seed tube (72) connected to a seedreceptacle (74). The seed sensor (78) is maintained in alignment withthe sensor hole (76) by a seed sensor mounting device (80) attached tothe seed tube (72) and the seed sensor (78) monitoring the flow of seed(71) from the seed receptacle (74) through the seed tube (72) into theseed trench (8). One embodiment provides the sensor hole (76) near thetop of the seed tube (72) as shown in FIGS. 11c and 11 d. Anotherembodiment provides for the seed sensor (78) configured to engage theseed tube (72) as shown in FIGS. 11a and 11 b. The seed tube (72) can beconfigured in a substantially straight line as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1a and, 11 a-d or in a curved arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 10.

In some applications, the seed (71) flow from the seed receptacle (74)moves through the seed tube (72) at such a velocity that upon the seedhitting the ground in the seed trench (8) the seed (71) rebounds out ofthe seed trench (8). An embodiment of the present disc opener assembly(10) provides a seed deflector tab (75) having a deflector portion (77)mounted on the seed tube (72). If the seed (71) rebounds or deflectsfrom the seed trench (8), the deflector portion (77) of the seeddeflector tab (75) redirects the seed (71) back towards the seed trench(8). See FIGS. 10a, 10 b and 10 c. The preferred embodiment of thedeflector portion (77) of the seed deflector tab (75) has an invertedV-cross section (see FIG. 10c), however it should be understood that thedeflector portion (77) can also have a concave radius cross section orcan have a rectangular cross section or such other suitable crosssection that will deflect a seed (74) back into the seed trench (8).

Thus, there is provided a disc opener assembly mounted on a tool barconnected to a work vehicle for opening a seed trench in the ground uponwhich the vehicle moves. While several embodiments of the presentinvention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, variousmodifications may be made. For example, the preferred embodiment of awork vehicle describes a vehicle having a frame that supports the powersource, transmission and wheels. Some vehicle structures such asagricultural tractors don't have a frame as a support structure but usethe engine block and transmission housing as part of the supportstructure for the wheels and axles. By way of further modification, thesingle disc opener assembly can be ganged with several additional discopeners to work several rows in a field; or the seeds can be placed inthe seed trench with an air gun. Such modifications and variations inuse are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disc opener assembly mounted on a tool barconnected to a work vehicle for opening a seed trench in the ground uponwhich the vehicle moves, the disc opener assembly comprising: a main armattached to the tool bar; a disc mounted for rotation on the main arm; ameans for adjusting the depth of the disc in the ground; a means forpositioning a seed in the seed trench opened by the disc; and a planarmember for cleaning the disc, said planar member having an edgeconfigured to scrape the disc, said planar member being biased towardthe disc and aligned to scrape the disc as the disc rotates, said edgebeing formed from a material different from the material forming theplanar member.
 2. The disc opener assembly of claim 1, wherein the meansfor positioning includes a means for deflecting the seed flow.
 3. Thedisc opener assembly of claim 1, including a means for closing the seedtrench on the seed positioned in the trench.
 4. The disc opener assemblyof claim 3, wherein the means for closing can be positioned relative tothe seed trench to control the amount of ground contacting the seedpositioned in the seed trench.
 5. A disc opener assembly mounted on atool bar connected to a work vehicle for opening a seed trench in theground upon which the vehicle moves, the disc opener assemblycomprising: a main arm attached to the tool bar; a disc mounted forrotation on the main arm; a means for adjusting the depth of the disc inthe ground; a means for positioning a seed in the seed trench opened bythe disc; and a planar member for cleaning the disc, said planar memberhaving an edge configured to scrape the disc, said edge being formedfrom a material different from the material forming the planar member.6. The disc opener assembly of claim 5, wherein the means for cleaningthe disc is attached below the main arm and aligned with the disc. 7.The disc opener assembly of claim 5, wherein the means for cleaning thedisc is biased toward the disc and aligned to scrape the disc as thedisc rotates.